As the largest ski area in North America, Whistler Blackcomb is an iconic destination for skiers from around the world. The resort offers an amazing amount of terrain for skiers of all ages and abilities — and the resort continues to grow over time.
This past winter, Whistler Blackcomb opened the new Blackcomb Gondola, adding to the existing Whistler Village Gondola and PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola, to create the only triple-gondola connection in the world. They also updated both the Catskinner Express and Emerald Express to offer additional capacity for guests.
If you’re looking to experience this world-class resort, read our article to learn where to find the best skiing for beginners, families, advanced skiers, and more.
Getting Started for Beginners
Credit: Justa Jeskova
If you’re a beginner that’s just getting started at Whistler Blackcomb, then you’re in luck. Not only do you have tons of amazing terrain to explore at this resort, but there are also some great resources available to help you get going on your first visit.
At Skican, we generally recommend that absolute beginners sign up for a local Snow School program, as this will help you gain the skills you’ll need to start exploring the resort on your own — as well as help you learn firsthand what terrain is available for your level. Private and group Snow School lessons are available for both children and adults at Whistler Blackcomb.
If you’ve got enough experience to manage on your own, there are learning areas available on both mountains where you can continue to practice your skills.
At Whistler, you can take the gondola to the Olympic Mid Station, before catching the Olympic Chair or a magic carpet to several green runs: Upper Olympic, Upper Fantastic, and It Happens. At Blackcomb, the Magic Chair takes you from the Upper Village directly to a great beginner run, Yellow Brick Road. All of these areas are great places to start as a beginner.
Skiing as a Family
Credit: Mike Crane
If you’re discovering Whistler Blackcomb as a family, then Whistler’s Family Zone provides a great location for continuing to hone your skills as a family, once the kids have graduated from the bunny slopes.
The Family Zone is located under the new Emerald 6 Express Chair, which drops you at Roundhouse Lodge on the top of Whistler Mountain. It features both green and blue runs, catering to a variety of skill levels, and is next to the Nintendo School Yard — one of five terrain parks at Whistler Blackcomb and a great place for kids to pick up the skills necessary for park riding.
If you’re looking for other fun destinations for your kids, the Tree Fort on Whistler and Magic Castle on Blackcomb offer outdoor play areas right on the mountainside, where your kids can take a break from skiing or snowboarding and continue to have fun in the outdoors.
Next Steps for Advanced Skiers
As an advanced skier, Whistler Blackcomb is open to explore! The higher alpine areas are filled with bowls, glades, and steeps that are your playground. Every skier or boarder will have their own favourite runs, but here are a few areas that we recommend checking out on your visit:
Peak to Creek (Whistler)
Credit: Justa Jeskova
The Peak to Creek is the longest consistent run in North America. Starting in the Whistler Creekside Village, skiers can catch the Creekside Gondola to the Big Red Express and then head skier’s left to traverse to the Peak Express. This journey will take you to the summit of Whistler at an elevation of 2,182 m (7,160 ft.), where you’re treated to amazing views of the village below.
From the peak, you start a descent of 7 miles (11 km) back to Creekside Village by following Upper and Lower Peak to Creek. If you’re looking to challenge yourself along the way, there are options to cut out early and explore a number of alpine bowls off the peak, including Whistler Bowl, West Bowl, and Bagel Bowl for some double black diamond action — saving the longest run for the end of the day.
Further down, you can explore other advanced runs such as Dusty’s Descent or Big Timber. All of these detours can lead you back to a section of the Peak to Creek further down.
Symphony (Whistler)
Located at the far side of Whistler Mountain, the Symphony Express chairlift provides access to some of the best glade skiing at the resort, as well as the vast expanse of Flute Bowl. The area offers a wide range of terrain, from blue to double black, is great for groups of mixed skill levels, and offers both groomers and off-piste terrain.
As it’s located farther off the beaten track, Symphony also tends to offer shorter lift lines and better snow conditions on busy days. To reach it, take either the Peak or Harmony Express and then follow the signs.
7th Heaven (Blackcomb)
Credit: Vince Emond
If you’re looking to flip over to Blackcomb for the day, the best place for advanced skiers to head is the 7th Heaven Express. The area under 7th Heaven offers a number of challenging blue and black runs, such as Cloud Nine and Panorama, in addition to incredible views of Whistler Mountain.
The lift can be reached by heading skier’s left at the top of the Blackcomb Gondola. It also offers access to the notorious Saudan Couloir — the site of the world’s steepest ski race and one of the most difficult runs on the mountain.
If you’re an advanced skier or rider who is looking for even more challenging terrain, we recommend joining an Extremely Canadian Clinic at Whistler Blackcomb. These clinics will show guests where to access the best advanced terrain, based on current snow conditions.
To experience the largest ski area in North America for yourself, book your trip to Whistler Blackcomb now.
